The FSSO is preparing to sweep audiences off their feet with an evening dedicated entirely to the emotional powerhouse of the Romantic era: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Two performances will take place, on 10 April in Bloemfontein and on 11 April in Pretoria.

Sharon de Kock, the concert master for this program, joins Yolanda Maartens on OFM Art Beat and shares that the orchestra will be travelling with this repertoire to Pretoria.

This upcoming concert promises more than just beautiful melodies; it’s an exploration of the human soul, led by the baton of Maestro Daniel Boico.

A change of pace and a road trip

The concert is creating a buzz for two big reasons: Firstly, the Bloemfontein performance is  breaking from tradition, with the FSSO performing at the Sand du Plessis Theatre on the Friday instead of the usual Saturday.

Secondly, the FSSO is taking the show on the road. De Kock announced that, shared the exciting news that for the first time in years, the orchestra will perform outside of Bloemfontein by bringing the repertoire to Pretoria for a special “homecoming” performance.

The return of a champion

The orchestra has secured Leo de Maria, Spanish virtuoso and most recent winner of the Unisa international piano competition.

The Pretoria leg of the tour is particularly sentimental, as De Maria will be returning to the very same stage where he claimed his title two years prior, performing one of the most famous pieces in the classical canon.

High drama and heartfelt melodies

The evening’s program is a curated journey through Tchaikovsky’s most iconic works:

- Waltz from Eugene Onegin: A sparkling, elegant start to the evening.

- Piano Concerto No. 1: Featuring Leo de Maria, this monumental work is famous for its thunderous opening and sheer technical demand.

- Symphony No. 5: A dramatic masterpiece that grapples with the concept of Fate through sweeping, passionate themes.

Despite legendary status today, Tchaikovsky was famously insecure about these works. His mentor, Nikolai Rubinstein, initially hated the Piano Concerto No. 1, leading to its premiere in Boston rather than Russia, and the composer himself once dismissed his 5th Symphony as a "failure" after its second performance. History, of course, has proven him very wrong.

Whether you are a Bloemfontein local or have family in Pretoria, this is a rare opportunity to see the FSSO at the height of their powers.

Tickets are available via Webtickets. For more information, contact the FSSO offices on 051 401 2342.

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